By CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE

Associate Prof. Aloy Anyichie, who hails from Nnobi in Anambra state, is among the recipients of the 2025 Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards.

He is also the founder of Loy Excellentia Initiative, an organization that offers mentorship program for students of African descent in Canada.

Anyichie, who is primarily a Catholic priest, received the award on the heels of global recognition and research grants he got owing to his intellectual output in the area of educational psychology.

The 17th edition of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award, of which Associate Prof. Anyichie is one of the recipients, took place on August 13, 2025 in Toronto, Canada.

The yearly Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards, which celebrates immigrants whose grit and contributions have helped to shape the Canadian nation, is organized by the Canadian Immigrant in partnership with Western Union.

And it should be noted that Costi and Edward Jones do support the hosting and organization of the program, which is the first and only national program that spotlights immigrant success stories.

More so, Anyichie who is a recipient of the award and Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at Brandon University, Manitoba, is the author of the book titled "Self-Regulated Learning and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: An Integrated Approach to Fostering All Learner's Engagement and Motivation"

His book, which is published in 2024, in addition to his innovative culturally responsive self-regulated learning framework, had earned him global recognition and research grants.

Not unexpectedly, his run of successes in Canada continued to 2025 when he became the only Nigerian and West African in the 2025 and 17th edition of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards. He is also the first clergy/priest to ever receive this award in Canada.

Anyichie, who spoke to the writer, Chiedu Uche Okoye, about the award, talked about the weather problem, cultural barriers, different way of learning he overcame when he first arrived in Canada, and how he overcame them.

"When I arrived in Canada where I knew no one, I was armed with only determination and faith.

"Unexpectedly, I was not greeted with warm embraces, but with a bone-chilling -35C wind, which made me feel like running back home.

"It was a true Canadian winter experience, which I dubbed 'my baptism of snow'.

"Next came the culture shock. Here in Canada, I experienced different social norms and different way of learning in the classroom. I was the only African student in my cohort and some of the readings do not relate to my Igbo-Nigerian lived experiences.

"Despite those daunting challenges, which I experienced, I grew stronger because I have unshakable faith in God, who is my anchor and compass on this journey, which shaped the educator and advocate I have become," Anyichie said.

More so, Associate Prof. Aloy Anyichie attributed his emergence as one of the recipients of the 2025 Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award to his faith in God, perseverance, humility, and strong sense of purpose while advising Nigerian immigrants in Canada not to lose hope in the face of challenges.

"It is my faith in God, perseverance, humility, and a strong sense of purpose that guided my journey, which culminated in my successes in diverse areas of life.

"That is why I am advising Nigerian immigrants in Canada to persevere and not to lose hope in the face of challenges.

"Rather, I would like them to see every challenge as part of the process of growth, integration and achieving their dreams.

"Again, I am advising them to stay focused, be adaptable, and never forget the strength of their roots, culture, and faith," Rev. Fr. Anyichie advised.

• Okoye, who is a poet and public affairs analyst, is an information officer in the Anambra State Ministry of Information, Awka.